Australia win AzlanShah Hockey Cup

ISLAMABAD: Australia lifted the 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup thanks to youngster Lachlan Sharp, who netted a last quarter goal to secure a 2-1 win over England in final in Ipoh, Malaysia.

It is the tenth time in 27 editions of the world famous invitational event that reigning world champions Australia have lifted the coveted trophy, with team captain Mark Knowles marking his 34th birthday with a man of the match performance in what was his final international appearance on foreign soil.

The result also serves as perfect preparation ahead of the next month’s 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where Colin Batch’s men will be looking to win the gold medal for the sixth time in succession.

Australia were in superb form throughout the competition, winning all five of their round-robin games ahead of their meeting with England in the title match.England bounced back from a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Kookaburras on the opening day of the competition to remain unbeaten for the remainder of the round-robin phase.

Draws against Olympic champions Argentina and Asian champions India as well as fine wins against Ireland (4-1) and home favourites Malaysia (7-2) proved enough for a ticket to the final, where head coach Bobby Crutchley aimed to repeat the title success that he achieved with Great Britain 12 months’ earlier.

Following a cagey opening two quarters, the Kookaburras took the lead in the 38th minute when Blake Govers fired home from a penalty corner.

Twenty-year-old Sharp — who wears the number 1 shirt made famous by legendary striker and five times FIH Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer — doubled Australia’s lead in the 53rd minute, scrambling the ball home from close range after the initial effort from Knowles was saved.

England ensured the game went down to the wire when Sam Ward slammed a wonderful slap-shot past Andrew Charter in the 54th minute, but Australia held on to take the Azlan Shah Cup collection into double figures.

Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said: “It was a very cautious first half. We got an edge in front of England. They kept on coming and we held on in the end.”Final standings: 1. Australia; 2. England; 3. Argentina; 4. Malaysia; 5. India; 6. Ireland.